Archaeological thinking : how to make sense of the past / Charles E. Orser, Jr.

Author
Orser, Charles E., Jr., 1950- [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
Lanham, Maryland : Rowman & Littlefield, [2015]
Description
xii, 177 pages : illustrations, map ; 23 cm

Availability

Copies in the Library

Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
Marquand Library - Remote Storage: Marquand Use OnlyCC83 .O77 2015 Browse related items Request

    Details

    Subject(s)
    Summary note
    How do archaeologists think? How do they use the scattered and often-fragmentary remains from the past--both historical and excavated--to create meaningful, sensible interpretations of human history? In Archaeological Thinking, Charles E. Orser Jr., provides a commonsense guide to applying critical thinking skills to archaeological questions and evidence. Rather than critiquing and debunking specific cases of pseudo-archaeology or concentrating on archaeological theory, Orser considers the basics of scientific thinking, the use of logic and analogy, the meaning and context of facts, and the evaluation of source materials. He explains, concisely and accessibly, how archaeologists use these principles to create pictures of the past and teaches students to develop the skills needed to make equally reasoned interpretations. -- Back cover.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references and index.
    Contents
    • What's this all about, anyway?: thinking in archaeology
    • It all seems so sciencey: archaeology, science, and history
    • Those pesky facts: understanding historical facts
    • If p . . . then what?: archaeological thinking and logic
    • Is that chair really a chair?: analogy and archaeological thinking
    • Source-thinking: the relationship between archaeological and textual evidence
    • Artifact-thinking: archaeological thought and excavated things
    • Thinking to some purpose: archaeological research and critical thinking.
    ISBN
    • 9781442226975 ((cloth ; : alk. paper))
    • 1442226978 ((cloth ; : alk. paper))
    • 9781442226982 ((pbk. ; : alk. paper))
    • 1442226986 ((pbk. ; : alk. paper))
    LCCN
    2014029696
    OCLC
    891941714
    Other standard number
    • 11968593
    Statement on language in description
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